Publication date: 22nd July 2026
In this presentation, I will describe recent advances from our laboratory on cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) photoelectrodes for solar-driven chemical transformations. Our research encompasses several complementary material architectures—thin-film photocathodes, thin-film photoanodes, and particle-based photocatalysts—all built on Cu₂O as the light-absorbing semiconductor. On the reductive side, our efforts focus on the photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) from water, as well as value-added reductions of organic molecules, in which solar-generated electrons drive the synthesis of useful chemical products. On the oxidative side, we investigate the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) from water together with selective oxidations of organic substrates, pointing toward opportunities for solar-powered chemical manufacturing that extend beyond fuel production alone.
I will first outline our strategies for fabricating and modifying Cu₂O thin-film electrodes, including approaches that allow the material to operate as either a photocathode or a photoanode despite its intrinsic electronic properties. I will then highlight representative catalytic reactions that showcase the versatility of this semiconductor platform. Finally, I will present our recent progress in translating thin-film photoelectrode concepts into particle-based systems, with the long-term aim of realizing scalable photocatalytic architectures for solar-driven chemical synthesis.
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